Stakeholders in the Ilorin Emirate have been urged to address Sheikh Habibullahi Adam Al-Ilory, a scholar at the Markaz Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Agege, Lagos State, over his persistent personal attacks on the Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa.

The call for accountability came via a statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin by Abdulrahman Suyuti Onikijipa, Magaji of Onikijipa Compound, acting on behalf of the family. He emphasized that the descendants of the Onikijipa lineage remain an indivisible entity and stressed the importance of unity among its members.

The Magaji's statement condemned Sheikh Al-Ilory's actions, asserting that the family's cohesion should not be undermined by such public disputes. It further called for adherence to ethical conduct and respect for religious leadership within the emirate.

The statement was titled “No bastard among the Onikijipa: A Rejoinder to Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory”.

It clarified that the statement credited to Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory that the father of Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa was not a member of Onikijipa was not only false but a lie.

The statement said that Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory's alleged unsubstantiated claim was borne out of mischief and a ploy to create a wedge among Onikijipa family, insisting that the family does not harbour a bastard.

It recalled that this was not the first time the Mudirul Markaz would try to rewrite the history of Onikijipa even in explicit contradictions to his father, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory's narrations in his mere usual bid to claim the “all-knowing”.

The statement noted that Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory was out to discredit the good image of the Mufty of Ilorin, adding that he has made attacks on anyone as his own trademark.

It described as bogus the claim attributed to Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory that only Alfa Alabi Onikijipa is the original Onikijipa and maintained that both Alfa Alabi Onikijipa and Alfa Faruq Onikijipa, the father of the Mufty of Ilorin are brothers and one family.

“We are compelled to release this statement in view of the recent shenanigan being displayed by Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory. We would not have responded to the story he put up in his head for reasons best known to him, but for the important need to set the record straight so that in the future people will not doubt our history as one strong Onikijipa family. This is not the first time this individual has tried to rewrite history even in explicit contradictions to his father's narrations in his mere usual bid to claim the “all-knowing”. He is the only one who can help us to understand the reasons for doing that. As far as we are concerned, he is just being mischievous.

“On Friday, 22th of Ramadan, Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory informed his listeners that he wanted to attack the Onikijipa family. During his daily tafsir, he went astray to attack our family in his usual manner, an attempt to create disunity among us. But for his information, we are one strong indivisible family.

“There are some points that need to be addressed.

Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory claimed that our illustrious son, Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa, the grand Mufty of Ilorin, is angry with Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory, Habibullah's father because the sheikh did not mention Sheikh Suleiman Faruq's father in his book. This is not only laughable but a lie from the pit of hell. Habibullah should inform us of the point at which Sheikh Suleiman said this and in what context. We believe this is just another lie to discredit the Mufty's good image. That is Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory trade mark: he attacks everyone. He recently did the same to the people of Agbogunmati.

“As if that was not enough, Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory narrated that Sheikh Suleima's father is not a member of Onikijipa. This is another nonsense! His theory is that any house or household in Ilorin that is situated outside the main compound is not part of the family. Such a household, according to his theory, must have been given or gifted to the land. They are not originally part of the family. One begins to wonder if Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory remembers where his own family house is situated in Ilorin. It is there to for everyone to see.

“Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory, in his desire to create disunity among us, claimed that Alfa Alabi Onikijipa is the original Onikijipa. If we had not heard this ourselves, we would not have believed it coming from a man, who is expected to know better. But it is not surprising; that is his way. He attacks without a reason. He comes up with all sorts of theories just prove anything! There are instances out there. But this is our story; Alfa Alabi Onikijipa and Alfa Faruq Onikijipa are brothers and one family. There is no separation among us. It is even more worrisome that such a respected scholar is using “show me your father's grave” theory as a proof of originality. Pathetic!

“It would be really appreciated if this man is called to order by stakeholders from Ilorin Emirate. Using his own words, he should not let people begin to “dig his own dead”. But we the Onikijipa are learned and respectful. We will not become pigs”, the statement read partly.